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So here we are at the top of Yamadera Risshaku-ji Temple completed in 860.
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There is no more beautiful spot than this one in autumn
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an amazing view overlooking Yamagata Prefecture.
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And at the top of 1015 steps lies a public Japan
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Post box and a man who has to climb these
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steps almost every day to pick it up.
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[Music]
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Irasshaimase (welcome)
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Only In Japan (voice of Peter von Gomm)
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I jumped on an E3 series bullet train
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the Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo
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for the 2 hour 45 minute ride north
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the morning mist exciting me
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for the adventure at hand today.
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Yamadera north-east of Yamagata City in the
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mountains is a gem for off-the-beaten-path
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travelers, especially beautiful in autumn.
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Close to the JR station is an over
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1000 step stairway hike to the ancient
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Risshaku-ji Temple or Yamadera which
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is directly translated at mountain temple.
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And at the top besides the temple
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serving the residents and tourists
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alike is a red Japan Post box
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With pick-up time 11am six days a week.
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I always wondered who climbs up here to
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pick it up, that's over 12,000 steps each week.
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A real workout.
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(music)
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And I found the man who has a most scenic
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and one of the most challenging postal
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routes perhaps in all of Japan.